Vivacious and intoxicating: that's how Folk-Metal from Russia sounds! Lively and thoughtful, fast-paced and soulful - the music of GRAI ("raven scream") is full of contrasts! The six-man squad from the Republic of Tatarstan in eastern Russia stands for a multi-faceted mixture of filigree folklore sounds and powerful metal. GRAI make folk metal, natural and unaffected! Founded in 2005, GRAI can already look back on an EP and three albums, as well as numerous festival shows, European tours and concerts alongside greats such as Arkona, Dalriada or Alestorm. Irina Zybina (vocals), Ruzel "Ruzveld" (guitar), Aliya "Leta" (flute, bagpipes, vocals), Yuri "Sadist" (bass, Growls, Kaljuka), Vitold Buznaev (guitar, growls) and Ilnur (drums) combine "classical" metal elements like bouncing electric guitar riffs, fat drums The Russian lyrics are sometimes cheerful, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes patriotic. Now the Russian sextet presents its fourth studio album with ASHES: Once again the perfect mix of charming folklore sounds and powerful metal sounds. Eleven brand new songs deal with themes such as the memory of the past, tragic stories about (missing) love and life. The six have not only included their personal experiences, but also stories from Russian culture in their texts. ASHES is a work full of passion, versatile and colourful: from acoustic instrumental pieces to neck-breaking metal, everything is included. A piece of Russian soul!
